Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-07-21
rnR PRESIDENT.
He Takes Part In . CentrnBial Celebration and
Tells what a President ShOaId Be.

Tells what = fresiaSnt SHoata ne.
At a centennial celebration at Clinton,
New York, on the 18th, which was attend.
ed by a vast crowd, the speeches occupied
over two hours, and with the exception Of
that by President Cleveland, we're chiefly
by persons OF local fame connected py
blood with the early settlers OF this place.
am inclined TO content myself on this
occasion with an acknowledgment on bj-
hall of the people OF the United states Of
the compliment which you have paid to
the office which represents their sovereign
~, but such an acknowledgment suggests
an idea which cannot refrain rom dEeil-
ing upon for a moment. That the once
OF president OF United States does repre-
sent the sovereignty OF 90, 000, 900 of peo-
pie is, to my mind, a statement full OF sol
emnity, for this sovereignty conceive TO
be the working act or enforcement OF the
divine gift OF man to govern himself, and a
manifestation OF Gods plans concerning
the human race. Though the struggle oil
political parties to secure the ineumbency
OF this Office, and the questionable methods
sometimes resorted to Tor its possession
may not be akin with this idea.
and though the deceit praetieed TO mislead
the people in their choice and its too IRE
quent influences on their suffrage may sur
prise as. these things should never lead Us
astray in our estimate of this exalted pos
tion and its value and dignity; aud though
your fellow citizens, who may be chosen TO
perform for a time the duties OF this high
place, should be badly selected, and though
the best attainable results may no. be at
tanned by his administration, yet the ex-
acting yatchfulness of the people, freed
from the disturbing turmoil OF p~oiitiealex
element, ought to prevent mischanee TO
the Office which represents their sovereign
~, and should reduce to "A minimum the
danger Of harm to the state. / by no
means underestimate the Importance OF
the.
UTMOST CARE AND c~TRCUATsPEcTIoS
in selection OF the incumbent. On the con
trary, I believe there is no obligati on o
citizenship that demands more thought
and conscientious deliheration than this
but / am speaking OF the citizens duty TO
the Office and its selected incumbent. This
duty is only performed when, in the inter
est Of the entire people, the full exercise OF
the powers OF chief magistraey in insisted
on, and Whan for the peoples safety a due
regard for the limitations placed upon the
Office is exactei. These things should he
enforced by the manifestation OF a caiSi
and enlightened public opinion. But this
should not be stimulated by the mad
clamor OF disappointed interest, which
without regard for the general good or al
" 41 ~
iudgmsnts, would degrade the
office by forcing compliance with
selfish demands. IL your president should
not be OF the people and one OF your fellow
citizens he would be utterly unfit for the
position, incapable OF understanding the
peoples wants, and careless ofthcir desires.
That he is one OF the people implies
that he is subject to human frailty and
error; but he should be permitted to claim
but little liberation for mistakes. The
generosity OF his fellow citizens should
alone decree how far good intentions should
excuse his shortcomings. Watch well,
then, this high office, the most precious
possession OF American citizenship. De-
nand Tor it the most complete devotion
on the part OF him to whose custody it
may be entrusted, and protect it rot less
~Yigilantly from unworthy assaults from
without. Thus will you perform n sacred
1uty to yourselves and to those who may
iollow you in the enjoyment of the ircest
Institutions which heaven has ever youch-
safed to man.